Mardy Fish to be the top seed in Los Angeles' Farmers Classic 2011 – Tennis News
Top ranked American Mardy Fish, ranked ninth in the world, is the top seed in the singles draw at the 2011 edition of the Famers Classic in Los Angeles this week.
Fish is in the form his life and had a great last twelve month period. The American has a 26-14 win/loss record in this season. He reached the last eight at the Wimbledon Championships, losing to eventual runner up Rafael Nadal in four sets 3-6, 3-6, 7-5, 4-6 in a hard fought quarterfinal. Fish overcame compatriot John Isner in three thrilling sets 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-2 in the final to capture his sixth career title on Sunday.
The second seed at this year’s championship is Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina. The Argentinean won the title here in 2008, beating home favourite Andy Roddick in straight sets 6-1, 7-6(2) in the title match. Del Potro has won 35 of the 44 matches in 2011. Coming back from a long injury break, the 22-year-old started the year ranked 259th in the world. The six feet and six inches tall won titles at Delray Beach International Tennis Championships and Estoril Open this year. Del Potro is ranked number 19 in the world this week.
World number 26 Marcos Baghdatis is the third seed at Farmers Classic. The Cypriot has a 16-15 win/loss record this year. A winner of four career titles, Baghdatis has failed to win any title so far in this season. The right-handed lost to Novak Djokovic in four sets 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 in the round of 32 at the Wimbledon Championships.
Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci is the fourth seed in the singles event. The Sao Paulo resident is currently ranked 34th in the world. The left-handed has won 21 of the 36 matches he has played in 2011. In his last assignment, the Brazilian defeated Martin Cuevas in straight sets 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 in the Brazil versus Uruguay Davis Cup tie.
All the top four seeds have byes in the first round. Fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth seeds are Xavier Malisse, Dmitry Tursunov, Grigor Dimitrov and Igor Kunitsyn respectively.
World number 90 James Blake of USA received last direct acceptance in the main draw. Two times former champion Tommy Haas of Germany, Robby Ginepri of USA and American Steve Johnson have been awarded wild card entries into the main draw.
American Sam Querrey, ranked 48th in the world, will be unable to defend his title as he is still recovering from the elbow surgery he had in June. Querrey won the title here in 2009 and 2010, beating Carsten Ball and Andy Murray in the title match respectively.
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